Abstract
This chapter presents and discusses a research antecedent in sociology linked to the inevitable need to perform “social investigations” to promote the scientificness of the discipline. It shows that, although this a priori has been criticized, it has nevertheless become established. This chapter then reviews how sociologists deal with the a priori (in the usual sense of the term) of the actors they study, as well as their own, as part of the knowledge production process. The positions adopted with respect to these a priori differ greatly. They can be dismissed as obstacles to be surmounted or burdens to be shed, or they can be welcomed as highly useful landmarks and facilitators for analysis.
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Notes
- 1.
According to Caillé, the three other imperatives are the explanatory imperative, linking the phenomena observed to causes, without applying mechanical determinism; the comprehensive imperative, relating causes to actors’ reasons or motives, which amounts to questioning the meaning of actions; and, finally, the normative imperative, shedding light on the “normativity criteria” applied to the analysis since “it is impossible to question the meaning sought by social actors without questioning the very meaning of the questioning” (ibid. p. 60).
- 2.
These expressions, commonly used in discussions among sociologists, can be found in the call for articles in a special issue of the journal Zilsel entitled “Sur le terrain” (In the Field): https://calenda.org/1002240. Here it can be read that: “The field directs and organises the act of research; it is also a specific stage of this research, that of an opening up to all the possibilities of intellection.” In a way, the “field” mentioned here is the signifier of the investigation.
- 3.
Max Weber’s position is somewhat different. According to him, it is necessary to make a distinction between “value judgements” and “factual judgements.” The sociologist should focus on the latter, which, as described in the previous section, calls for an investigation to be performed.
- 4.
The “illusion” is in this respect proposed by P. Bourdieu.
- 5.
It should be underlined that this is also our position.
- 6.
If not, the idea of “investigating for investigation’s sake” might be compared to the vacuity of “art for art’s sake.”
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Gaglio, G. (2023). The Investigation as an Antecedent in Sociology and Other A Priori. In: Bergé, JS. (eds) The A Priori Method in the Social Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38260-4_12
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